Table of Contents
Why do you plead Not Guilty instead of innocent?
Pleading Not Guilty at an Arraignment For the reasons mentioned above, most criminal defendants plead not guilty at the arraignment hearing. By pleading not guilty, the criminal defendant buys time. This gives his or her defense lawyer the opportunity to review the case and to assert all possible defenses.
Is it better to plead Not Guilty?
You should definitely plead NOT GUILTY to your criminal or traffic charge! On most criminal charges and some traffic charges, the Judge can put you in jail or, if it is a felony, in prison! Some people worry that if they plead “Not Guilty,” when they feel they are really guilty, that it could hurt them later.
What are the benefits of pleading guilty?
In exchange for pleading guilty, the criminal defendant may receive a lighter sentence or have charges reduced. Additionally, pleading guilty avoids the uncertainty of a trial. Juries can be unpredictable. Prosecutors may uncover additional evidence that can make it more likely for a jury to convict the defendant.
What does pleading ‘no contest’ really mean?
A no contest plea means that you admit the facts presented by the prosecution but don’t admit guilt for the crime charged. Once you plead no contest, the court hands down a sentence. When you plead no contest, you have a opportunity to explain why you’re not pleading guilty or not guilty.
What is the difference between pleading guilty and no contest?
One major difference between a “no contest” and a “guilty” plea is that generally, those pleading “no contest” cannot later be sued in a civil suit. When pleading “no contest,” the following is true: You are conceding to the charge against you without admitting guilt. You are not presenting a defense.
Can someone explain what pleading “no contest”?
Answering the Question: What Does Pleading No Contest Mean? A no contest plea is a type of plea used in criminal proceeding as an alternative to the more traditional guilty or not guilty plea. Also sometimes known as a nolo contendere plea, a no contest plea is the equivalent of a person stating that he or she does not wish to admit guilt.
Why would a defendant plead no contest?
A defendant may have any number of reasons to plead no contest, especially if a full public trial appears unwinnable or the defendant faces a civil suit based on the same charges. Such a plea may result in a less severe punishment, and because there is no admission of guilt, no confession enters evidence.